The two day strike by staff at the Grangemouth oil refinery ended at midnight on Monday, April 28.
Contingency plans prepared by the Scottish Government ensured there was minimal disruption to fuel supplies during the period of the strke.
The Cabinet Sub-Committee on Civil Contingencies met frequently to monitor events and react appropriately.
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Timetable of events
Wednesday April 30 - First Minister pays tribute to way country handled the effects of the dispute.
Tuesday April 29 - Supplies of fuel to be distributed as Grangemouth staff return to work. Finance Secretary John Swinney visited the plant and spoke to both sides, encouraging them to resolve the dispute round the negotiating table.
Monday April 28 - First Minister Alex Salmond and Prime Minister Gordon Brown meet at House of Commons in London to discuss the dispute and how the two sides might be brought together to settle their differences.
Sunday April 27
- Additional supplies of diesel arriving at Firth of Forth and Aberdeen by tanker.
- Antares from Teesport - 5,700 tonnes of diesel and kerosene currently being discharged at the common user jetty at Grangemouth
- BIT Octania from Gothenburg - 10,000 tonnes of diesel currently being discharged at the common user jetty at Grangemouth
- Alsterstern from Amsterdam - 12-14,000 tonnes of diesel expected today
- Bro Developer from Rotterdam - 14,000 tonnes of diesel will berth this evening
- Audacity from Immingham - 1,850 tonnes of motorspirit is expected tomorrow
- Humber Fisher from Teesport - 4,000 tonnes of diesel and kerosene is expected tomorrow
- The Phillipine - 14,000 tonnes of diesel anchored off Kirkaldy (Clarification - this replaces the Anefani from Rotterdam)
Friday April 25 - At a Press conference First Minister Alex Salmond said he had contacted both sides in the industrial dispute and urged them to resume negotiations as the only way to resolve the situation and prevent wider damage and inconvenience to the people and economy of Scotland.
Transcript of Press conference statement
Mr Salmond also said he and his Ministerial team would lead by example in adopting responsible behaviour by reducing fuel consumption, stopping avoidable journeys, and using public transport where possible.
Thursday April 24 - In a statement to Parliament Finance Secretary John Swinney said:
"One of the most important messages to give is that people should not change their normal fuel buying patterns. We urge the people of Scotland to be sensible and only to buy the fuel that they need. We encourage people to make the journeys they require to and to use public transport.
Read the full text of Mr Swinney's statement to Parliament
"We will continue to monitor demand and work with fuel retailers to manage the situation. It would clearly be unacceptable if any retailer were to take advantage of the potential of localised fuel shortages and increase prices. I would call on all retailers to ensure that increased prices are avoided at all costs."
Earlier at FMQs, First Minister Alex Salmond said:
"There are substantial and ample stocks of every variety of fuel and petrol stocks across the available ranges. That is an important factor for people to bear in mind and these stocks will last well into May.
"Assuming that consumer behaviour is responsible then there should be limited difficulties both in terms of inconvenience and disruption.
"Clearly, it's a time when we need everyone's cooperation: to behave sensibly and responsibly, to cut out non-essential trips, to use public transport. This is all wise advice for the people in Scotland to take at the present moment.
"The central message is that the stocks of the available range of fuels will stretch into May and there is the capacity to import more if required.
"I've spoken many times to unions over this week - one thing they did agree on this morning, was they insist that it's not their intention, the unions or the plant or indeed the managers of the plant to impose disruption on the broad community, industry and people of Scotland.
"We should appeal for responsible behaviour, non escalation of the dispute and I think under these circumstances Scotland can cope with this difficulty."
Background on the dispute
Talks between INEOS, the Grangemouth management, and the union Unite have failed to resolve the dispute which involves around 1,200 employees. Strike action is due to be taken on Sunday and Monday.
Grangemouth is Scotland's only oil refinery and normally distributes fuel supplies throughout Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North of England.
The Scottish Government has arranged for an independent pensions expert (Stewart Ritchie, President of Faculty of Actuaries) to help both parties resolve the dispute, and believe that such independent expertise will clarify the situation and ensure both parties reach the amicable solution which Ministers are convinced is possible.
At the same time, the Scottish Government is taking measures to secure fuel supplies if the dispute remains unresolved and are taking contingency measures to prepare for potential scenarios.
The Scottish Government is liaising with UK Government, INEOS, BP and key responders, and is monitoring the situation very closely. Ministers and officials are meeting as required to monitor developments and provide national overview / direction.
SG Emergency Room has been activated to:
- Support the activity of Scottish Ministers and officials
- co-ordinate the detailed activity of SG across the potentially affected policy areas
- and respond to national issues raised by local responders